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Exterior stairway railings made from wood, wrought iron or aluminum must be installed to provide safety for those using the stairs. With wood railings, posts are notched to bolt against the sides of the staircase. Handrails attach atop the posts and balusters provide the safety feature between the posts. Wood railings require a building permit and installation by a licensed contractor. Metal railings are available in prefabricated sections at home centers and fencing outlets. Obtain the posts, railing sections and wall brackets based on the number of steps and the size of the upper landing.

1

Start at the bottom of the stairway at the side the handrail installs. Position the lower post atop a concrete landing, wood landing or deck with the attachment brackets for the handrail facing up the stairs. Align the innermost side of the square base plate parallel with the outer face of the bottom stair. The post aligns 3 inches inside the edge of the stairway. Use the machined holes in the base plate as guides and mark the concrete or wood for the fastener holes.

2

Set up a power drill with a 1/4-inch carbide drill bit for concrete and drill 2-inch-deep holes at each mark. Install a 1/4-inch by 3-inch expanding-concrete anchor in each hole and set the base post in place. Tighten the heads on each anchor with a socket and ratchet. Proceed to the following step for a wood landing or deck.

3

Install a 1/4-inch wood bit in the drill. Drill 1/4-inch holes through a wood landing or deck at each mark for the holes at the base plate. Position the post in place and align the holes. Install 1/4-inch by 4-inch bolts through the plate at each hole. Fit a washer and nut onto the lower end of each bolt and tighten the nuts securely with the socket and ratchet.

4

Fit the upper and lower rails of the handrail section into the brackets on the lower post. Position another post at the upper end of the section and fit the rails into the brackets on the post. Mark the locations of the bolt holes in the base plate of the second post. Set the post and section of handrail aside.

5

Use the appropriate drill bit for concrete or wood and drill holes for anchors or bolts. Reattach the section of railing at the lower post and fit the second post at the upper end. Attach the base plate for the second post with the appropriate concrete anchors or bolts as before. Tighten the setscrews at each bracket where the railings attach to the posts with the appropriate tool, such as a nut driver or Allen key.

6

Measure the distance from the second post to the outer edge of the landing at the top step. Repeat the procedures, as necessary, to install posts and sections of railing to complete the run from bottom to top. Cut the uppermost section of handrail to length, if necessary, by cutting the upper and lower rails with a hacksaw.

7

Measure the distance from the brackets on the post at the top of the run to the wall at the back edge of the landing where the final section of handrail installs. Cut a section of handrail to length.

8

Attach wall brackets onto the ends of the upper and lower rails with the appropriate tool. Insert the opposite ends of the rails into the brackets on the upper post. Position the wall brackets at the face of the wall so the upper and lower rails are 3 inches from the edge of the landing.

9

Raise or lower the end of the railing, as necessary, so the upper rail is horizontal when checked with a 24-inch level. Install a screw-tip attachment in the power drill. Attach the wall brackets to the face of the wall with the provided anchor screws.

Things You Will Need

Power drill

1/4-inch carbide drill bit

1/4-inch by 3-inch expanding concrete anchor bolts

Socket and ratchet

1/4-inch drill bit

1/4-inch by 4-inch bolts with washers and nuts

Nut driver or Allen key

Measuring tape

Hacksaw

24-inch level

Screw-tip attachment

Tip

Consult the local building department beforehand to determine minimum height requirements for stair railing and safety requirements associated with stair railing installation.

Warning

Ask a licensed contractor to oversee stairway railing installation, if necessary, to ensure all safety concerns are addressed.

About the Author

William Machin began work in construction at the age of 15, while still in high school. In 35 years, he's gained expertise in all phases of residential construction, retrofit and remodeling. His hobbies include horses, motorcycles, road racing and sport fishing. He studied architecture at Taft Junior College.